Animal Sciences Commons^™

Sea Urchin Predation In Misali Island Marine Park, Nicole Esclamado

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The populations of sea urchins and their main predators, triggerfish (Balistidae), wrasses (Labridae) and emperors (Lethrinidae), were studied in the extractive and non-extractive zones of the Misali Island Marine Conservation Area in order to (1) evaluate the applicability of a sea urchin-sea urchin predator model developed in Kenya’s fringing reefs, (2) gain baseline data on Misali’s coral reef, and (3) evaluate the recovery status of the protected zone. This study revealed the predictive power of the sea urchin-sea urchin predator model for the reef ecosystem of Misali Island. As expected, a decline in sea urchin predators as a gross trophic …

Food Item Coloration Of The Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri Sciureus): An Analysis Of Color Vision Polymorphism At The Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Stefan Cooper Rosin

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Though the genetic and physiological aspects of primate color vision are understood, knowledge of the history and advantage of such an adaptation is currently limited to speculation. It appears that trichromatic color vision arose as a foraging specialization, though there is reason to believe dichromacy, or red-green color blindness, provides unique advantages as well. This study examines the coloration of food items of the common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Yasuni National Park “buffer zone,” Ecuador. Saimiri is known to be polymorphic with respect to color vision, exhibiting both di- and trichromacy. With the goal of …

The Survival Of The Central American Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri Oerstedi): The Habitat And Behavior Of A Troop On The Burica Peninsula In A Conservation Context, Liana Burghardt

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The conservation status of Central American Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedi) on the far southern coast of Peninsula Burica in Panama was assessed over the course of a 13 day study period. Four troops of squirrel monkeys (67 individuals) were located on the southern coast of Peninsula Burica. Using information from local sources it can be estimated that up to 7 troops (157 individuals) live in the 7-8 km2 study site. These troops are sharing an estimated 80 ha of habitat which compared to past studies is a fairly low amount of habitat.

One troop of squirrel monkeys which is fed …

Playback Experiments Using Regional Duets And Solos: Territoriality In The Grey-Breasted Wood Wren In Eastern Andean Ecuador, Arathi Govind

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In this study, playback experiments were conducted on the Grey-breasted Wood Wren, H. leucophrys, at Yanayacu Biological Research Station and Center for Creative Studies in Ecuador. This study was conducted in order to see how reactive the birds were towards duets from the area, solos from the area, and duets from other regions of the country. Pairs were expected to react more strongly towards duets than solos and familiar duets stronger than unfamiliar ones. Two different playback experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, six different pairs were chosen along with four different song types, a Yanayacu duet, a male …

Assessment Of The Artisanal Shark Fishery And Local Shark Fin Trade On Unguja Island, Zanzibar, Deborah Schaeffer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study investigates the current state of the directed artisanal shark fishery off Unguja Island, Zanzibar, with a focus on the East Asian shark fin trade and its impact on the utilization of this valuable marine resource. The study concentrates on the two fish markets in Stone Town: Malindi and Darajani. Large fish are brought to these markets both from nearby waters and from other coastal towns on the island. Data was gathered through observation of the type and number of sharks landed, fishing practices employed, and sale of shark products, particularly fins. Local fin traders and exporters were interviewed …

A Comparison Of Anuran Species Richness Between Primary And Secondary Forest In São Francisco Do Pará, Michael Reichert

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Deforestation in the Amazon has become a serious conservation issue. The process of destruction of primary forest results in the creation of secondary forest that differs from primary forest in a number of important ways. Anurans (frogs and toads) are one group that may be affected by the loss of primary forest and creation of secondary forest areas, and are an important focus for conservation efforts. Previous studies on anuran reactions to loss of primary forest have been few and inconclusive. This study examined anuran species richness in an area of primary and secondary forest in order to determine whether …